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Le Journal
AL News & Updates
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| Spotlight on the Conseil d’Ecole | |
Dear AL Community,
The Conseil d’Ecole (School Council) is Académie Lafayette’s advisory committee to the superintendent and an important space for collaboration across our community. Since 2012, it has brought together parents, teachers, administrators, and students to share perspectives and strengthen school life.
The Conseil d’Ecole (CE) discusses a wide range of topics—school safety, after-school programs, student well-being, and the school calendar, to name just a few. Together, members work to support a safe, thriving, and enriching experience for all students.
One of the CE’s most important responsibilities is overseeing the election of parent representatives to the AL Board of Directors. This ensures parents have a strong voice in shaping the strategic direction of our school.
We invite parents, especially room parents, to get involved and make an impact. If you are interested in joining or learning more, please reach out to your building principal. The CE meets 5–6 times each year on Thursdays from 6:00–7:30 pm. Check the district’s Google calendar for dates and location.
I am pleased to share that our Student Success Nights were well-attended- thank you for your participation. Parent engagement is critical to our school’s success, and this year I encourage every family to join us at Parent-Teacher Conferences, and at least one school event, whether it be a Parent-Principal Coffee coffee,or another school gathering.
Thank you for helping us keep Académie Lafayette a place where every voice matters.
Have a great weekend.
Elimane Mbengue
Superintendent
embengue@academielafayette.org
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September 6
Wine Walk EIP Community Party, 6 pm
September 8
Board Meeting, 6 pm, Armour & Online
September 9
ALIHS 12th Grade College Night, 6 pm, Armour
September 12
AL PTO Playground Mixers, Oak & Cherry, 3:15 - 5 pm
September 13
AL PTO Pints and Pickleball Tournament, 1:30-6 pm, Homestead Country Club
September 16
Cherry & Oak Parent-Principal Coffees, 7:15 am
September 17
AL PTO Meeting, 6 pm, Armour
September 18
Armour Parent-Principal Coffee, 8:30 am
September 26
$10,000 Annual Raffle Kick-Off
K-5 September Birthday Lunches
September 27
Shrimp Boil EIP Community Party, 6 pm
September 29
Armour HealtheKids Screenings
| Access our live academic and athletics calendar here. |
| | Wanted: Armour Conseil d'Ecole Representatives | | Armour is seeking one parent representative from ALIHS and one from Armour Middle School to serve on the Conseil d’Ecole, our advisory committee to the superintendent. The council meets 5–6 times a year and plays an important role in school life and decision-making. Parents interested should reach out to Dr. Paul at mpaul@academielafayette.org or Mme Beach at mbeach@academielafayette.org. | | Parent-Principal Coffees are Back! | | |
Parent-Principal Coffees are laid-back events where parents are invited to join the campus leadership for conversation, coffee, and pastries. There is always time at the end for questions, so come on by!
The first Parent-Principal Coffees of the school year are happening soon:
- Cherry & Oak: 7:15 am in the auditorium on Tuesday, 9/16
- Armour: 8:30 am in the conference room on Thursday, 9/18
Even if you can only come for a few minutes on your way to work, please stop by. A bientôt!
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- Calling All Student Artists
- AL PTO Events
- Oak Robotics Lottery Sign Up for 3rd, 4th, and 5th
- Wear the Magic, Win Your Seat at EIP
- Volunteers Needed for Oak After-School Garden Club
- Kick Off the Year with AL Community Fun!
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- Middle School Math Club Sign-Ups Open
- Volunteers Power Our Community
- Required Notifications
- Bus Transportation Updates
- AL in the Community
- 24-25 K-8 Yearbooks Reorders
- School Communications
- Ads:
- Franck's Real Estate Corner
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💡 Did you know? Our newsletter is often so full of important updates that some browsers cut it off early. Be sure to click "View entire message" at the bottom so you do not miss a thing!
| | Calling All Student Artists | | |
The $10,000 Cash Raffle launches soon. We need AL students to put their creative caps on and help design the official 2025 Raffle T-Shirt!
Contest instructions were sent home with students this week. Each student can submit up to three designs; submissions are due Friday, September 12. Need a fresh design sheet? Click here. Finished designs can be dropped off at building front desks or emailed to hvogel@academielafayette.org.
Part of a long-standing AL tradition, these shirts are earned through ticket sales during the raffle. Students are can proudly wear them every week on T-Shirt Tuesday and as their PE uniform top.
We are also seeking volunteers to help make this year's raffle a success. Click here to learn more!
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K-5 Playground Mixers
Meet and mingle with other AL families at the Oak and Cherry playgrounds on Friday, September 12, from 3:15 - 5:00 pm. Light refreshments will be available. Come when you can, leave when you need to!
AL PTO Meeting
All families are invited to attend the first AL PTO meeting of the year at Armour on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6:00 pm. We'll discuss our calendar and budget for the year and much more. This is a great way to meet other families and contribute to the AL community. Pizza provided! Child care is also available for school-aged children.
AL PTO Trash & Yard Bag Sale
It is that time of year! The ever popular trash and yard bag sale is here. Leaves will be everywhere before we know it! Purchase rolls of these durable, high-quality trash and yard bags. Trash bags come in a variety of colors and sizes. Place your order online by Sept 20th. Pick up is at Armour on Wed Oct 15th 5-7 pm OR Sat Oct 18th 9 am- 12 pm. Please share with family, friends, and neighbors.
Wanted: Boo Bayou Co-Chairs
AL PTO is looking for 2 people to serve as co-chairs for Boo Bayou for this school year! If you love all things fall and want to lead this school wide fun event, we’d love to have you on the team. Reach out to alptowebsite@gmail.com if you’re interested!
Holiday Art Mart: Mark Your Calendars, Vendors Needed
The Académie Lafayette Holiday Art & Bake Sale is back! Saturday, December 6, 2025
9 am – 5 pm, 3421 Cherry Street. Join us for a full day of holiday shopping, food trucks, and our beloved bake sale - all benefiting AL. Plus, don’t miss the chance to shop from local artists and talented AL student vendors! Vendor applications open September 1 – November 15, 2025. Click here to sign up!
| | Oak Robotics Lottery Sign Up for 3rd, 4th, and 5th | |
Come build robots out of legos and program them to move, make sounds and react to colors with us at Oak! Our 3rd and 4th grade program is for getting their feet wet and trying something new. We do ask that 5th graders that sign up have a genuine interest in robotics.
Sign up for the seat lottery by midnight on September 14th. Space is limited. Scholarships are available.
Our elementary club is run entirely by parent (and grandparent!) volunteers. As a benefit for volunteering, your student will be guaranteed a seat in robotics! Sign up to get more information about volunteering.
Cherry families: Robotics is run at Cherry in the spring semester so keep an eye on the Friday Newsletters.
Questions? Email alkcrobotics@gmail.com.
| | Wear the Magic, Win Your Seat at EIP | | |
On May 2, 2026, the Big Top rolls in for Evening in Paris: Cirque — a night of celebration and community spirit in support of our school.
The excitement begins now with the launch of the EIP 2026 t-shirt! Each purchase shows your AL pride, helps power our Annual Fund and even gives you the option to grab a raffle ticket to win a table at the event. Click here to get started!
Students can join the fun, too, by wearing their the shirts in PE and on T-Shirt Tuesdays — making this more than just a fundraiser, but a way for everyone to share in the magic of EIP.
| | Volunteers Needed for Oak After-School Garden Club | |
We need your help to make the Oak after-school Garden Club happen! The club will meet on the Oak street side of the school grounds for an hour right after dismissal. We will provide hands-on activities, and kids are also free to roam and explore the orchard and the butterfly garden. To make this format work, we need three adult leaders per session, who will ensure the students' safety, help them access the building (bathroom), and oversee dismissal at the end of the session.
With enough volunteers, we plan to meet on Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15, and run a 6 to 8-week session starting in early to mid-September. Please contact GreenAL at greenal.academielafayette@gmail.com for questions or sign up here if you are available to help even for one or two sessions!
| | Kick Off the Year with AL Community Fun! | |
Whether you’re brand new or a longtime AL family, the Shrimp Boil & Boucherie is the perfect chance to gather with fellow parents, enjoy great food, and celebrate what makes this community so special.
Limited tickets remain: Make a Payment
Saturday, September 27
6-10 pm
$125 per ticket
Cost includes all food and beverage!
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Math club for middle schoolers will be starting soon. This is an after-school club. Eighth graders will meet on Wednesdays, and seventh graders will meet on Mondays. The day for sixth grader remains to be determined. Note: Students who are participating in a fall sport may join math club after their sport is over for the season.
Email Bill Kalahurka at bkalahurka@academielafayette.org if you think your middle schooler might be interested.
| | Volunteers Power Our Community | | Ready to make a difference? Come be a part of our vibrant community and contribute to our shared success! Sign up today to volunteer. | | Did you know that important school policy information is available on the AL website? Simply go to Families > Our Community to view them, or click here. On that page, you will find the ESSA Complaint Procedures, School, Parent and Family Engagement Policies, the Schoolwide Program Plan, and more! You may also request paper copies at your campus main office. | | Bus Transportation Updates | | |
Our new bus tracking system, Stopfinder, has launched! Primary guardians have received an invitation email using the address on file in PowerSchool (Enrollment Form 03R). Please make sure your email is up to date! Key reminders:
- No ride for 5 consecutive days = removal from roster
- No more weekly bus emails – all updates will come through the app
- Stopfinder is for tracking and transportation communication only
- Armour routes are not door-to-door to maximize efficiency
Click here for more information. Need assistance? Contact LaQuita Looney, llooney@academielafayette.org.
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Oak campus art teacher and AL alum Olivia Michka will be showing her paintings at the upcoming Westport Art Fair in Kansas City on September 5-7. Come out and bring your students to view over one hundred different local artists - and don't forget to visit Olivia at Booth 102!
| | 24-25 K-8 Yearbooks Reorders | | K–8 parents who did not order a yearbook but would still like one can now place a reorder directly through Strawbridge using code YB31447. Orders will be shipped straight to your home address—no school pick-up or coordination needed. There is a $10 shipping fee in addition to the cost of the yearbook. This online ordering option will remain open until the end of October. Click here to view the flyer and ordering instructions. | |
Armour MS & ALIHS
201 E. Armour Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-800-8771
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Cherry K-5
3421 Cherry St
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-888-7400
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Oak K-5
6903 Oak St
Kansas City, MO 64113
816-361-7735
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